Mayoral candidates talk VDC inclusion

Oct. 2, 2012

David Mazur

Written by

Doug Albrecht

Editor’s Note

This is the second in a weekly series of stories exploring five Vineland mayoral candidates’ views on issues. Today’s topic: integrating the residents of the Vineland developmental center with the city.

ON TV

The five Vineland mayoral candidates recently participated in a debate on various issues. You can watch it on the city’s local cable station — Comcast channel 9 or Verizon channel 41 — at these times: • Wednesday at 10 a.m. • Friday at 7 p.m. • Monday at 10 a.m. • Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. • Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. • Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

Perry Barse

Ruben Bermudez

Robert Romano

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VINELAND — Mayoral candidates applauded the state’s decision this year to keep the Vineland Developmental Center open. Each agrees that more can be done to help residents be more a part of the community.

Five candidates are campaigning for mayor in the November election. Each was asked: “When the Vineland Developmental Center was allowed to stay open, a special task force recommended that its residents have more interaction with the community. How would you provide more interaction with the city? What would you do?”

Candidate David W. Mazur wants to make developmental center residents a focal point of city events.

“If I am elected mayor, I would have a parade at least one day every year in the city of Vineland to honor the residents who live at the Vineland Developmental Center,” Mazur said.

Mazur works as a habilitation plan coordinator at Woodbine Developmental Center in Cape May County. His slogan is Association of Concerned Taxpayers of Vineland.

“When the city has the night at the Phillies, we will sell tickets to the consumers and staff at the center and bring them to the ballgame,” Mazur said.

“Every year we should have a city picnic in Vineland and invite the consumers from the center and the staff to participate,” Mazur said.

“There should be a movie night in Vineland each year for them. These are just some of the visions that I have involving a great bunch of people to join us,” Mazur said.

Candidate Rubin Bermudez said he would set up a Mayor’s Advisory Committee on developmental and physical disabilities.

Bermudez, whose slogan is Moving Forward Together, is the owner of Juvante Formal Wear in Vineland.

“Vineland must be prepared for the fact that more developmentally disabled individuals will eventually move into community-based settings and group homes,” Bermudez said.

“As a result, the next mayor of Vineland will need to work with Trenton, the families of the people with developmental disabilities, community service organizations and the community at large to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in all facets of community life,” Bermudez said.

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The committee would advise the mayor on matters which will improve the health, education, and quality of life of those citizens, Bermudez said.

Candidate Perry D. Barse said that, as mayor, he would “begin the dialogue necessary” to develop opportunities for interaction with the residents.

Barse is a Certified Public Accountant at Perry D. Barse CPAPA and his campaign slogan is Vineland Taxpayers First.

“The Romano Park complex that we previously developed could offer recreational opportunities not currently being utilized (by VDC residents),” Barse said.

Barse said local residents would be key in bridging the gap between the VDC and the city.

“Vineland residents have always shown a willingness to lend a helping hand to others in need,” Barse said.

“I believe there is an opportunity for bringing the entire community into a program approved by VDC professionals through mayoral leadership to make a positive impact on the center,” Barse said.

Candidate Doug Albrecht said he would encourage developmental center residents to participate in any event held by the city.

“They should be there for everything. I would love to have them more involved in Founder’s Day because that’s held right across the street from the Vineland Developmental Center,” Albrecht said.

He said residents also should be put on a mailing list so they know about events that are upcoming.

“I would encourage them and make sure they know of the events that are happening,” Albrecht said. “I’d make sure they were on a mailing list. Not just them, but all the groups in Vineland. When Vineland is doing something, we should put the word out.”

He said residents also could become involved in holiday events.

Albrecht is a current city councilman and president of Bob Albrecht Tire and Service. His slogan is For the People, With the People.

Incumbent Robert Romano said city volunteers could play a role in bringing the clients at the developmental center closer together.

Romano said the Mayor’s Youth Council volunteers could visit the center and become involved with the clients.

Romano responded with a personal visit to the developmental center last year after receiving a letter from resident Margaret Conte when the center was threatened with closure.

“I worked there as a lifeguard years ago and I’m familiar with many of the people there,” Romano said. “The whole thing would be what is available to involve them with? I know they have visited the Landis MarketPlace, and gone on different day trips downtown.”

Romano said he planned to send an invitation to the developmental center for residents to take part in the upcoming Columbus Day celebration on the steps of City Hall on Oct. 8. He said residents also would get more personal invitations to downtown events throughout the year. He would entertain any ideas to bring the community and the center residents together.

“I think we could get them more involved,” Romano said. “You could always get more involved.”

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